Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

The cGP Lab: A Legacy of Innovation in Blackcurrant Research

Originally founded as Vitality Wellness (NZ) Ltd., The cGP Lab was established by Jim Grierson, a leader in New Zealand’s horticulture industry, and David Eder, a second-generation blackcurrant grower and industry innovator. Following the pivotal discovery of cGP in blackcurrants, the company shifted its focus to commercialising cGP for human health applications and was relaunched as The cGP Lab in 2020.

A mutual love of blackcurrants

The pair met through a mutual love of blackcurrants. Together they have over 80 years’ experience working in the NZ blackcurrant industry and together they have successfully taken the health benefits of blackcurrants to the world.

During their time in the blackcurrant business, Jim and David saw the health benefits that friends and family experienced when they regularly consumed blackcurrant products. Back in 2008, David observed a friend with Parkinson’s disease who had been taking his blackcurrant extract, having reduced shaking.

To explore this potential benefit, the business partnered with leading clinicians to run a trial with Parkinson’s Disease patients who were given capsules containing blackcurrant extract daily for 4 weeks.

The main health benefit reported in this clinical trial was significantly reduced anxiety and
depression Parkinson’s patients after taking capsules containing blackcurrant.

Founders’ Contributions to the Industry

Jim Grierson played a key role in establishing the International Blackcurrant Association (IBA), serving as its inaugural President (2009–2012) and chairing its agronomy sector. He has been a board member of Blackcurrant New Zealand since 2011 and contributed to its marketing initiatives.

David Eder, an award-winning horticulturalist and champion of innovation, has dedicated over 40 years to advancing New Zealand’s horticulture sector. He has chaired the New Zealand Blackcurrant Product Group, served as an executive member of the IBA, and held ministerial advisory roles. A former board member and life member of Horticulture NZ, David has been instrumental in promoting blackcurrants globally.

Parkinson’s trial led to discovery of cGP in NZ-blackcurrants

Jim and David observed significant health benefits among friends and family who regularly consumed blackcurrant products. In 2008, David noticed a friend with Parkinson’s disease experiencing reduced tremors after taking his blackcurrant extract. This led to a collaboration with leading clinicians to conduct a four-week trial, in which Parkinson’s patients took blackcurrant extract capsules daily.

A chance meeting between David and Dr. Jian Guan in 2016 led to a groundbreaking discovery: cGP is present in New Zealand-grown blackcurrants. Dr. Guan’s research confirmed that patients in the trial had significantly elevated cGP levels in their blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid—proving not only the presence of cGP in blackcurrants but also its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. The trial’s most notable health outcome was a significant reduction in anxiety and depression among Parkinson’s patients.

At the time, Dr. Guan was an Associate Professor at The University of Auckland and a member of the Centre for Brain Research. She now serves as Chief Science Officer at The cGP Lab.

World-first discovery led to global patent.

The discovery of cGP in NZ-grown blackcurrants lead to the cGP Lab applying for a novel patent for cGP (WO 2019/045575 A1) in New Zealand and internationally. The patent covers the source and supply of natural plant-based cGP as well as the health benefits of cGP. Only NZ grown blackcurrants are used in the cGP Lab’s products, as they have highest cGP levels in the world.

Leadership and Future Vision

Jim Grierson has expertly guided The cGP Lab as both Founder and Chairman. Both Jim and David remain as significant shareholders. Together, with over 80 years of combined experience in the blackcurrant industry, they have successfully brought the health benefits of blackcurrants to the world.